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Your Observer

Department heads and other city officials discussed the proposed 2019-20 budget at a pair of workshops Monday and Tuesday.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 9, 2019
City budget prioritizes parks, police

Staff’s proposed $248.8 million budget for 2019-20 includes a flat operating millage rate, though a portion of property tax revenue could go to a new parks and recreation district.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 9, 2019
Cops Corner: Looky what I found

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Sarasota County has approximately 900 to 1,000 food service establishments in its utilities system.
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • July 9, 2019
County to implement new FOG ordinance in effort to stem sanitary sewage spills

The new ordinance is scheduled for implementation in January 2020.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The small signs make it easy to miss Longboat Key's beach access points.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 9, 2019
Walk in the Park: Longboat Key beach access points

Take a tour of our town's public places

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mike Moran has a background in finance as well as licenses in both insurance and real estate.
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • July 9, 2019
Sarasota County commissioner named executive director of FPFA

Moran was formally voted into his new position at a June FPFA board meeting.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • July 8, 2019
Speed hump project beginning July 15 in St. Armands

FDOT plans to monitor effects of the temporary humps, then decide if raised crosswalks make sense. The installation was pushed back a week due to inclement weather.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Though beautiful, lionfish present a danger to native Atlantic and Gulf reef populations.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 8, 2019
Lionfish derby's goal is to rid Sarasota water of the species

Let's go out and hunt some fish.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jane, Emmalyn and Camden Walters get up close to the tanks.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 8, 2019
Sharks and humans chow down together at Mote Marine

Mako no mistake, this event was fun for families and great for hungry sharks.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This is the car that was burglarized last weekend. Photo courtesy of Sheila Loccisano.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • July 8, 2019
'Smash and grab' car burglary reported on Longboat

Break-in reported at Broadway Street beach access on July 6.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Inmates met with various employers during a job fair. Photo Courtesy Sarasota Sheriff's Office.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 8, 2019
Sarasota County Jail offers job fair, speciality housing to inmates

The programs are meant to help better the lives of inmates and reduce recidivism rates.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Usher says the county’s recycling collection agency, Waste Management, will be equipping their trucks with large automated arms to pick up the new carts. Photo by Brynn Mechem
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • July 7, 2019
Sarasota County aims for single-stream recycling by January

The switch signals a utility rate increase for residents of the unincorporated county areas.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 6, 2019
Longboat Key Cops Corner: The angles make all the difference

Police reports from around the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 5, 2019
Temple Emanu-El hosts Patriotic Shabbat

The Sarasota temple celebrated both American and Jewish heritage.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 5, 2019
Sarasota families revel in Fourth festivities

From the All-American BBQ at Selby Gardens to fireworks over Bayfront Park, there was no shortage of Fourth of July festivities.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 5, 2019
Driver critically injured in I-75 crash near Fruitville Road

Palmetto man taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital after 6:10 a.m. wreck.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • July 5, 2019
Fireworks dazzle Siesta Key beachgoers

The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce hosted its 29th annual Fourth of July fireworks show Thursday.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Medic-20, the rapid response vehicle, is currently located at Station 21 in Venice and is as equally equipped as an ambulance
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • July 4, 2019
Emergency officials exploring less costly, more efficient 911 response system

Still in the testing phase, emergency leaders would like to use a "cutting edge" response model featuring a rapid response vehicle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 4, 2019
Longboat Key Freedom Fest starts off the Fourth of July with a bang

The "world's shortest parade" brought folks together for freedom and fun

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Taber Jordan won the Junior 1 Lightweight Yellow division title at the 2019 American National Kids IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship. Photo courtesy Jocelyn Jordan.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 4, 2019
Sarasota competitor finishes on top at 2019 American National Kids IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship

He has been training for four and a half years and is proud of his hard work.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Corina Segura, Chris Hill, Kate Biltz and Rhett Wells.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 4, 2019
Serving up fun: Sarasota recreational volleyball league brings people together

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Julia Krzywanski.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 4, 2019
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Julia Krzywanski

The EVO Athletics gymnast talks winning at regionals and her dream of visiting Germany.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 3, 2019
Sarasota celebrates Independence Day with a bang

Nathan Benderson Park hosts annual fireworks show.

  • East County
  • News
The no-swim advisory is expected to be in effect through at least 2 p.m. Thursday.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 3, 2019
UPDATE: No-swim advisory lifted at Lido Beach

Officials said it was safe to go back into the water after updated tests showed acceptable bacteria levels.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Susan McGuire and Nancy Rozance both hold the Longboat Key Rotary Club gavel.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 3, 2019
Longboat Rotary Club celebrates a new president

The gavel was literally passed down to bring in the club's new era.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
T-Mobile recently upgraded its signal in Longboat Key.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • July 3, 2019
T-Mobile targets Longboat Key for LTE upgrade

The mobile service provider included Longboat among dozens of North American cities and towns in its efforts.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The removal of trees on developing sites led to concerns from residents about enforcement — which, in turn, led to concerns about whether the city's tree regulations were flexible enough.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 3, 2019
Citizen board endorses new tree regulations

City commissioners offered feedback on an advisory board's recommendations, hoping to continue the tree talks later this year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The DID’s favored conceptual plan extends across Main Street near its intersection with U.S. 41.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 3, 2019
Downtown gateway sign plans progress

A downtown group hopes to erect a landmark sign near a main entry point to the urban core.

  • Sarasota
  • News
David Miller is Longboat's de facto historian. All photos by Sten Spinella.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • July 3, 2019
David Miller: A Longboat Linchpin

The quintessential local looks back on 64 years in town.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Each scanner costs $286 and will be at the top of the steps as the students board the bus.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 3, 2019
School District of Manatee County unveils new ID scanners for buses

School District of Manatee County unveils new ID scanners for buses

  • East County
  • News
Doughbie Brothers Pizza Co. has operated as a pizza truck but soon will open its own brick-and-mortar store in the University Town Center shopping district. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 3, 2019
UTC adds more chocolate, pizza to its food lineup

Peterbrooke Chocolatier, Doughbie Bros. open in University Parkway shopping district.

  • East County
  • News
Steve Miller says he enjoys shuttling people back on forth but sometimes is disappointed the conversations are so short.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 3, 2019
He's a pick-up man: Steve Miller wins Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Volunteer of the Year award

The Lakewood Ranch Medical Center has named its Volunteer of the Year - learn all about Steven Miller.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • July 3, 2019
Sarasota’s own ‘School of Rock’

Everyone Rocks offers an alternative method to traditional music lessons.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 3, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: July 4

A purple gallinule, as photographed by Jeannie Sparks in Sarasota’s Celery Fields.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 3, 2019
East County weather page photo: July 4

Richard Bottorff captures this bald eagle in flight in Rye Preserve.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 3, 2019
Longboat Key weather page photo: July 4

Bill Trombetta captured a perfect sky on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Call Haas and his mother Janelle Haas.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • July 3, 2019
Teen heads to Washington

Cal Haas is one of 11 Florida delegates to attend the biennial event to raise awareness of Type 1 diabetes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
2
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy
3
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
4
Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
  • December 20, 2025
Longboat Goodwill officially celebrates grand opening
5
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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